Polling Centre In SK Tanjung Labian May Be Moved To SK Fajar Harapan - Election Commission

KOTA KINABALU, April 2 (Bernama) -- The polling centre in Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tanjung Labian, Lahad Datu may be moved to the nearby SK Fajar Harapan if the former cannot be utilised come the 13th general election, Sabah Election Commission (EC) director Datuk Md Idrus Ismail.

He said there were 674 voters registered to cast their votes at SK Tanjung Labian, which was closed following the intrusion by Sulu militants in the district.

"If the polling centre is moved to SK Fajar Harapan, we will seek the help of Lahad Datu district office to provide transport services to take the voters to the polling centre.

"In this context, the EC anticipates no problem that can affect the general election process, especially in Lahad Datu," he told reporters after the presentation of the appointment letters for election returning officers in Sabah and Labuan by here Tuesday.

Idrus said although the situation in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu and its surrounding areas was getting better, the EC would continue monitoring the situation to ensure that the next general election would run smoothly.

"Our primary concern now is the rumours (spread by certain quarters) that can create uneasiness and worry among the voters in the area," he said, hopping that the people would not be influenced with the security-related rumours.

Idrus said he was also confident that the voter turnout in the general election in Sabah would increase to 75 per cent compared with only 68 per cent in 2008.

He said 17,500 EC staff would be involved in managing 706 polling centres in Sabah and another 17 centres in Labuan.

Idrus said the EC was in the midst of coordinating voters' channels according to age groups, including senior citizens and young voters registered in the electoral roll updated on March 31.

He said the latest number of registered voters in Sabah will be known soon.